Emergency Preparedness: The Key Documents You Need
July 23, 2021
July 23, 2021
When an emergency or natural disaster strikes, it is important to be prepared. This involves having access to important personal financial, insurance, medical and essential household records that can help you start your recovery process.
How can you best prepare for the unexpected? The Ready.gov website offers resources, tips and guidance for preparing for the impact of an emergency and lays out four simple steps for financial preparedness: compile, review, safeguard and update.
Assemble your important financial documents and contacts. These will primarily fall into four categories:
Use checklists such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Financial First Aid Kit to organize the documentation that you should collect.
Review your insurance policies and financial paperwork to make sure they are accurate and current.
Store paper and electronic copies of all files in safe locations.
Regularly revisit and update your checklists and contact forms.
Updates are especially important when you have significant changes in your life, such as marriage, death or birth of a child.
Following these tips today will help you and your family be better prepared for the impact of an emergency you may face in the future. For more information on getting help with a natural disaster, visit My Home by Freddie Mac®.
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